SLC title picture will become much more clear tonight
Just when you were getting sick and tired of me hyping meaningless, beginning-of-the-season, non-suspenseful summer football, you’ll be pleased to know I’m just getting started.
While Burlington’s 28-27 loss to Lake Geneva Badger last week and Waterford’s stunning 21-14 overtime victory over Wilmot highlighted last weekend’s action, two teams are going unnoticed but could be threats to the main players in the Southern Lakes Conference.
Union Grove and Delavan-Darien, two former Division 3 rivals that have exponentially grown in school enrollment the past decade, are both undefeated and will meet in Delavan Friday night.
But that game doesn’t quite register on the seismograph the same as the Earth-shattering, pulse-pounding meeting of two rivals that don’t like each other very much, Waterford and Burlington.
Proper English be darned, my emotions are getting the best of me.
A simple video I posted to the Southeastern Wisconsin Preps Report YouTube page (check it out, please!) has already garnered a tweet from Waterford quarterback Sam Allen:
“@samallen5261 7:30 p.m.
‘Keep picking against us mike… We love it’
2 retweets, 36 favorites”
As you can see, my pick of Burlington to beat Waterford by less than a touchdown has caused quite a stir on social media. Almost 40 people have favorited, or liked, Allen’s tweet, so the sides are out in full force ready to root for their squad.
Now, now, I’m sure the players are mostly cool with each other, being only about eight miles apart, but there’s no secret that basketball games have gotten a little nippy in the past, and Waterford coach Adam Bakken has even had the Demons on his radar since August.
After years of dominating Burlington in the newly-formed Southern Lakes Conference, the Demons got their revenge with a whooping in Waterford last season.
The Wolverines are flying high at 3-0 thanks to a smothering defense, multi-faceted running game and big-play passing attack.
But Burlington is every bit as good, with a dynamic passing game backed up by a stellar defense.
If you don’t move your butt and get to Don Dalton Stadium Friday night for this epic clash, you really don’t like football.
In Delavan, Union Grove will try to go 4-0 for the first time in at least a decade.
But knee injuries to running backs TJ Cadd and Joe Peterson will put plenty of pressure on junior quarterback Matt Nelson.
Personally, I don’t think UG can keep up with Delavan, who is basically running a track meet on defenses.
Quarterback Jake Benzing has already thrown for nearly 600 yards in three games, and offensive weapons Ben Ingersoll, Ethan Cesarz and Fabias Shipman are some of the most dangerous players in the state, let alone Division 3.
The Comets recently gained some recognition as they cracked the top 10 of the state rankings at No. 10.
Expect more fireworks from the Comets, who should have plenty of bright, shiny things falling from the sky into open receivers’ hands all night long.
So far, it’s clear Badger, Waterford, Wilmot, Burlington and Delavan-Darien are serious contenders for the SLC crown, and the conference is continuing its claim as the deepest collection of talent and teams in its history.
As for me, my wife, sweet baby Coraline and I are driving three hours this weekend to visit friends in Notre Dame country, South Bend, Ind.
We will make sure to litter and give dirty looks when driving through Chicago.
The Bears host the Packers Sunday in week one of the NFL season, aka Christmas Day to many, and I can’t wait to see Green Bay dominate the young Bears, who feature all sorts of new players and a new coaching staff.
In Aaron Rodgers we trust, even though Jordy Nelson is out.
The Packers will finish 13-3 and will win the Super Bowl.
You heard it here first.
And look for the Wisconsin Badgers to bounce back and crush Miami of Ohio Saturday. Corey Clement is expected to be at 100 percent after an injury hobble him against Alabama.
The Badgers are good, but will be nothing more than a 9-3, New Years Day-bowl team come January.
The Ohio State Buckeyes will extinguish Bucky with brutal force in the Big Ten Championship. I’m thinking of a 42-17 type of score.
Sorry, Wisconsin fans, but until we recruit a high-caliber quarterback, we will never enter the elite tier of college football.
Enjoy your weekend, everyone, and get to a game. If you’re bored out of your mind, tweet me @mikeramczyk17 and give me the inside scoop on your team.
PREDICTIONS
WEEK 4
Last week: 5-0
Season: 18-5
(all games 7 p.m. Friday)
Waterford (3-0, 1-0 SLC) at Burlington (2-1, 0-1)
Everyone loves a rivalry game, and this one takes the cake. Expect a loud, raucous crowd featuring two dueling student sections.
On the field, we’ll see Waterford’s elite defense trying to stop Burlington’s high-powered, dangerous offense.
The Demons’ newly-found special teams play and defense will be the difference in a low-scoring affair.
PREDICTION: Burlington 24, Waterford 21
Union Grove (3-0) at Delavan-Darien (3-0)
The Broncos have yet to face a really good opponent, and Delavan-Darien will be that tough matchup.
Union Grove is short-handed with two starting running back hobbled by knee injuries.
Less speed and talent from the opposing defense means guys like Jake Benzing, Ben Ingersoll, Mike Alder and Fabias Shipman will be tough to catch up to in the open field.
Expect a close game to turn into a laugher once Delavan finds a rhythm.
PREDICTION: Delavan-Darien 44, Union Grove 24
Martin Luther (2-1) at Catholic Central (3-0)
Don’t let the record deceive you.
Martin Luther isn’t in Catholic Central’s league.
How many teams have two players combine for more than 350 rushing yards in one game, and one of those players happens to be the quarterback?
Right now, teams have no idea how to stop Cole Kresken, even though they’re stacking the box. Ben Heiligenthal is simply keeping the ball when teams over-play Kresken, and he finds big gains.
The deep-ball threat of Cole Pankau, and the relentless pursuit of the Toppers defense makes them perhaps the most complete football team in the area.
I stick to my prediction that CC will run the table.
PREDICTION: Catholic Central 45, Martin Luther 19
More predictions
Lake Geneva Badger 50, Westosha Central 27
Wilmot 33, Elkhorn 16
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